Biography

Raphael: Voice

Kevin Fisher: Guitar

Marco Mazzesi: Keyboard

Steve Pons: Bass

The concept NERACRUZ first came to light in London way back in 95’. It’s here that our story begins, starting with the first and founding member of the band: Raphael. Leaving Italy, his place of birth at the age of Fifteen to resettle in London, Raff soon discovered a passion for the sound the look and style of a scene led by such bands as the Cult and the clash. The British scene of the mid eighties left a huge mark on young Raff and it’s here that Raff begins to grow musically, playing in various bands of medium importance as well as being invited to participate on various projects of the time such as Sig Sig Sputnik e Underneath What. Although for an upcoming musician such opportunities happen only once in a life time, they weren’t the right ones for him. He was searching for something different. Even though London gave him shape and form for more the fifteen years, it was time for a change of scenery. It was here that came the idea of using his Italian past to create something new, not quite English and not quite Italian but a hybrid of the two. With this idea in mind and a few songs in his suitcase, Raff decided to return home, bringing with him his Band co-founder and English four stringed collaborator, Steve Ponz. The idea being to begin the search for musicians compatible to his style and with the same drive as himself. In fact, once reinserted in the Milan based rock scene, Raff meets with glam drummer Stefano Lucchese glam, who after hearing Raffs songs is immediately taken into the fold. Becoming the third member of Neracruz. With Stefano comes Marco Mazzesi (Keyboards and fanatical Depece Mode fan). Having played together for years in various Bands know well each others styles, and seeing this as opportunity to put into practice his mix of analogue keyboards and metallic samples doesn’t think twice and becomes thy third member. After a few failed attempts the attention moves to Kevin Fisher. The London born guitarist experienced in the Heavy Metal/thrash scene of the early nineties, playing in various bands of moderate success and working almost full time as a session man. In Italy for almost two years, working as a stage technician and session guitarist jumps at the idea to join a band that can integrate his obviously English style with Raf’s wild and innovative ideas. Neracruz unites personalities with completely different musical and cultural backgrounds with one thing in common, the music. Rock, metal, new wave, techno, gothic, all this in one unique formula: NERACRUZ The band themselves find it difficult, or at worst unable to define their own sound. ‘Pure Goth’ insists Kev, ‘New wave progressive’ claims Marco, ’heavy metal’ shouts Raf hoping to provoke a judicial response. There are no set rules to how the songs are born. Everyone puts in his own, giving each song it’s own versatile and fresh sound. Further song characteristics that mirror the spirit of the band are the bilingual nature in which Raff writes the bands lyrics:” ‘To me it comes naturally to write the verse in Italian and the chorus in English’ says Raff ‘From the beginning this was my intention, my idea of NERACRUZ and my only form of expression’.